Connector for flexible belts

ABSTRACT

A connector for belt ends for belt conveyors in which a belt is guided by a tube. A clamp member is secured to each end of the belt and a hinge pivotally connects the clamps. The clamps are provided with long sharp barbs which spread the reenforcing cords of the belt as the barbs penetrate the belt on assembly to thereby reduce the number of cords which are cut during the application of the clamp members. The legs of the clamp are formed as arcs of a curve with a long radius to provide minimum friction and erosion of the conveyor tube.

United States Patent [191 Tabler June 12, 1973 [54] CONNECTOR FORFLEXIBLE BELTS 194,486 3/1923 Great Britain 24/33 M [76] Inventor:Charles P. Tabler, 2560 Rosary Clrcle Hamllton Ohm 45013 PrimaryExaminer-Donald A. Griffin [22] Filed: Oct. 19, 19.70 AttorneyJ. M.Cantor [21] Appl. No.: 81,995

[52] U.S. Cl. 24/31 C, 198/82 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. Fl6g 3/07Field of Search 74/231 A connector for belt ends for belt conveyors inwhich 3 2 1 4/ 31 C a belt is guided by a tube. A clamp member issecured to each end of the belt and a hinge pivotally connectsReferences Cited the clamps. The clamps are provided with long sharpUNITED STATES PATENTS barbs which spread the reenforcing cords of thebelt as 3,445,899 5/1969 Koga 24/37 the barbs penetrate the f assemblyEhmby g4 5 11/1876 Niemann 24/31 H duce the number of cords which arecut during the ap- 399,962 3/1889 Avery 24/33 B plication of the clampmembers. The legs of the clamp 1,495,228 5/1924 Koenemann 24/232 UX areformed as arcs of a curve with a long radius to pro- 2,099,831 11/1937Taber 24/33 M vide minimum friction and erosion of the conveyor3,252,563 5/1966 Juengel 198/82 tube.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 612,221 4/1935 Germany 24/33 B 7 Claims,5 Drawing Figures 16 i0 6 14 34 L 24 28 26 32 I4 6 I l y PATENTEDJUNI2mm INVENTOR. CHARLES P. 7481. EH

FIG. 5.

AGENT CONNECTOR FOR FLEXIBLE BELTS This invention relates to a beltconveyor and more particularly to a clamp for connecting the ends of aflexible strip to form an endless belt for conveying articles. Aconveyor of this general type is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No.3,252,563 to Victor A. Juengel wherein one run of the belt is carried ina groove in one surface of the tube and the return run is in the tube.

Conveyors of the general type disclosed in the hengel patent are limitedin both length and load carrying capacity by the clamping structureconnecting the ends of the strip to form the endless belt.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fastener that has a hightensile strength.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fastener asaforesaid which has a smooth rubbing surface for contact with themounting tube of a conveyor.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fastener asaforesaid which can be easily applied.

These and other objects of the invention will become manifest uponreading the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 discloses a perspective view of the belt and fastener of thisinvention as applied to the tube of the conveyor.

FIG. 2 discloses details of the fastener.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the belt and fastener.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the end sections of the belt and fastener.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4.

In accordance with the invention a clamp member having barbs on onesurface is applied to each end of the belt with the barbs penetratingthe belt and with the bight of the clamp around a hinge member. A screwextending through the clamp member and belt is threaded into one leg ofthe'clamp to cause the legs to become arcs of a long curve. Thecurvature of the legs is such as to permit the end of the screw to bepeened with the peened portion recessed sufficiently to avoid contactwith the tube.

With reference to the drawing there is disclosed a tube 2 such as in theaforementioned Juengel patent or as disclosed in the application ofAndrew T. Kornylak for an ELASTIC BELT CONVEYOR filed June 10, 1970 andassigned Ser. Number 42,094. The tube is formed with a depressed portion4 forming a guiding track for one run of a belt 6. The return run iscarried in the tube. A power source (not shown) in the form of a Vpulley at one or both ends of the tube drives the belt along the tube totransport an article carried on the upper surface.

The ends of the belt are connected by a pair of clamps connected by ahinge structure.

Each clamp comprises a pair of legs 8,10 connected by a circular bightportion 12. The leg is formed with triangular barbs l4 and 16 having asharp penetrating edge which serves to spread the reenforcing cords 18as the barb penetrates the belt. Each barb is at least as long as theradius r of the bight portion 12. An opening 20 is formed between thebarbs to receive a threaded fastener. A threaded opening 22 is formed inthe leg 8 for engagement bythe threads of a fastener.

' The clamps are pivotally connected by a hinge structure comprising apair of pins 24,26 connected by links 28,30.

For purposes of assembly the clamps are formed with the legs spreadapart sufficiently to allow one leg to be fitted around a pin and toreceive the end of the belt. The legs are then pressed together to causethe barbs to penetrate the belt. A threaded fastener 32 having a head 34is passed through opening 20, through an opening formed in the belt andinto threaded engagement with the threadedopening 20. Rotation of thefastener will draw the ends of the legs together and cause the legs tocurve and form arcs having a long radius R. The sharp end of thefastener is then peened to form a retaining head 36 as illustrated atthe right of FIG. 3. The curvature of the leg is such that head 36 isspaced from the surface 4 and the only contact with surface 4 is alongthe long curve of the leg 8.

While I have disclosed the legs of the clamp to be formed into arcshaving a long radius during assembly it is to be understood that thelegs can be formed along arcs of long radius before assembly.

The long lengths of the barbs and the deep indentation of the ends ofthe legs into the belt provide a fastener that has a tensile strengthequal to that of the belt.

I claim:

1. A connector for belt ends comprising a pair of clamps and meanspivotally connecting the clamps together, each clamp comprising a pairof legs connected by a circular bight portion, a pair of barbs at oneend v of one of the legs, and opposed openings in the end portions ofeach leg for reception of a fastener for securing the ends together, thelength of each barb being equal to the radius of the circular bightportion, further including a fastener extending through the openings tourge the legs into compressing engagement with the end of the belt, atleast one end of said fastener being substantially flush with itsassociated leg, the legs of each clamp being curved on a long radiuswith the maximum distance between the outer surfaces of the legs beinggreater than the thickness of the belt.

2. A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein the barbs arelongitudinally spaced on oppose sides of one of said openings.

3. A connector as defined in claim 2 wherein the barbs are triangularwith a sharp penetrating edge.

4. A connector as defined in claim 3 wherein the means pivotallyconnecting the clamps together comprises a pair of cylindrical pins andlinks connecting the pins, the bight portion of each clamp being pivotedon a pin.

5. A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein the fastener is threadedthrough one leg and is formed with a head at each end, the distancebetween the outer surfaces of the heads being less than the maximumdistance between the outer surfaces of the legs.

6. A method of connecting the ends of flexible belts of compressiblematerial which comprises the steps of:

a. providing a connector comprising a pair of clamps pivotally connectedtogether, each clamp having a pair of confronting legs connected by acircular bight portion, one leg of each clamp having a pair of inwardlyextending barbs adjacent the free end thereof and opposed axial openingsin each of said pair of legs, one opening in each said pair of legsbeing positioned between said barbs, b. placing each clamp of saidconnector over respective opposite ends of a belt, I c. placing afastener through said openings and d. moving said legs of said clampstogether along the axes of said openings by operation of said fastenerto provide a curvature in said legs to locate the free ends of the legscloser to each other than at the bight, futher including the step ofpeening said fastener substantially flush with said legs subsequent d.moving said legs of said clamps together along the axes of said openingsby operation of said fastener to provide a curvature in said legs tolocate the free ends of the legs closer to each other than at thebight,wherein said curvature is such that said legs 5 extend outwardly beyondthe ends of said fastener.

7. A method of connecting the ends of flexible belts of compressiblematerial which comprises the steps of:

a. providing a connector comprising a pair of clamps pivotally connectedtogether, each clamp having a pair of confronting legs connected by acircular bight portion, one leg of each clamp having a pair of inwardlyextending barbs adjacent the free end thereof and opposed axial openingsin each of said to step (d), wherein said curvature is such that saidlegs extend outwardly beyond the ends of said fastener.

pair of legs, one opening in each said pair of legs I

1. A connector for belt ends comprising a pair of clamps and meanspivotally connecting the clamps together, each clamp comprising a pairof legs connected by a circular bight portion, a pair of barbs at oneend of one of the legs, and opposed openings in the end portions of eachleg for reception of a fastener for securing the ends together, thelength of each barb being equal to the radius of the circular bightportion, further including a fastener extending through the openings tourge the legs into compressing engagement with the end of the belt, atleast one end of said fastener being substantially flush with itsassociated leg, the legs of each clamp being curved on a long radiuswith the maximum distance between the outer surfaces of the legs beinggreater than the thickness of the belt.
 2. A connector as defined inclaim 1 wherein the barbs are longitudinally spaced on oppose sides ofone of said openings.
 3. A connector as defined in claim 2 wherein thebarbs are triangular with a sharp penetrating edge.
 4. A connector asdefined in claim 3 wherein the means pivotally connecting the clampstogether comprises a pair of cylindrical pins and links connecting thepins, the bight portion of each clamp being pivoted on a pin.
 5. Aconnector as defined in claim 1 wherein the fastener is threaded throughone leg and is formed with a head at each end, the distance between theouter surfaces of the heads being less than the maximum distance betweenthe outer surfaces of the legs.
 6. A method of connecting the ends offlexible belts of compressible material which comprises the steps of: a.providing a connector comprising a pair of clamps pivotally connectedtogether, each clamp having a pair of confronting legs connected by acircular bight portion, one leg of each clamp having a pair of inwardlyextending barbs adjacent the free end thereof and opposed axial openingsin each of said pair of legs, one opening in each said pair of legsbeing positioned between said barbs, b. placing each clamp of saidconnector over respective opposite ends of a belt, c. placing a fastenerthrough said openings and d. moving said legs of said clamps togetheralong the axes of said openings by operation of said fastener to providea curvature in said legs to locate the free ends of the legs closer toeach other than at the bigHt, wherein said curvature is such that saidlegs extend outwardly beyond the ends of said fastener.
 7. A method ofconnecting the ends of flexible belts of compressible material whichcomprises the steps of: a. providing a connector comprising a pair ofclamps pivotally connected together, each clamp having a pair ofconfronting legs connected by a circular bight portion, one leg of eachclamp having a pair of inwardly extending barbs adjacent the free endthereof and opposed axial openings in each of said pair of legs, oneopening in each said pair of legs being positioned between said barbs,b. placing each clamp of said connector over respective opposite ends ofa belt, c. placing a fastener through said openings and d. moving saidlegs of said clamps together along the axes of said openings byoperation of said fastener to provide a curvature in said legs to locatethe free ends of the legs closer to each other than at the bight, futherincluding the step of peening said fastener substantially flush withsaid legs subsequent to step (d), wherein said curvature is such thatsaid legs extend outwardly beyond the ends of said fastener.